Third Half (12 page)

             
"No, it's been going on for as long as we know it.   Just
sometimes it's worse than other times.  The last time I was down,
there was a power shortage in Lima due to those rebels and their
bombings."

             
The man tapped his fingers nervously on the arm rest.  "That
was near enough for me.  I'm too close to retiring to take chances."

             
"I'm sure it's still much safer in the city," she hoped to reassure
the man, then remembered it was he who had been worried about her
being in the jungle.  "Are those rebels really very dangerous?"

             
"Yes." His tapping increased.  "This is my last trip down and I
wouldn't have taken it if young Moran . . .my assistant, hadn't gotten
ill.  He'll be taking over everything as soon as I retire."

             
The man went on with a lengthy explanation of his retirement
plans, which did not include traveling.

             
Liane was grateful for his chatter.  It helped her keep her
thoughts away from the problems that had been plaguing her.  When
finally he ran out of conversation, she was much more relaxed and
dozed for the remainder of the flight.

CHAPTER FIVE

             
As she stepped from the terminal with the rest of the
passengers, Liane glanced around to see if anyone looked as though
they could be there to meet her.  Mary Catherine's notes had said that
a representative from the mission would meet her at the airport, then
escort her on her journey.  She hoped this unknown person would be
congenial so she could easily make her request for a delay of their
departure.

             
She needed as much time as she could get, and didn't want to
waste a moment before beginning her search for clues to her brother's
whereabouts.  Yet, she knew impatience could be her downfall, and if
she wasn't careful she would arouse suspicion.

             
"You must be Sister Mary Catherine."  The deep masculine
tones came from behind her.  "I've been standing over there watching
everyone disembark, and you're the only person who fit her
description."

             
She turned to face the young man who had spoken to her,
immediately noting sparkling blue eyes and even white teeth forming
a welcoming smile. 

             
"But it was not an adequate description at all," he continued. 
"I never expected anyone so lovely.  This will make my trip back to
the jungle regions so much more pleasurable."

             
For the first time she noted his clerical collar. "Father!"  She
made no attempt to hide her surprise at his words.

             
Without embarrassment he threw back his head and laughed. 
"Sister Mary Catherine, you seem so shocked.  Don't you have any
naughty young priests in your neck of the woods?  New York, did
they say?"

             
"Yes."  She looked to where the last of the passengers
disappeared down the long corridor.

             
"I'd have thought you'd have encountered a few like me in the
Big Apple."  He laughed.  "I suppose I should explain about myself. 
I've been sent here for penance.  It seems the Bishop heard some
complaints about my methods and felt I was on the verge of breaking
my vow of chastity."

             
Never before had Liane heard a Priest speak so boldly, and she
felt her cheeks growing warm.  Then she remembered some things her
brother had told her during the short time he had studied for the
priesthood.

             
"Father, don't you think we should be on our way?"

             
"Yes, Sister."  His eyes seemed to lose some of their
brightness.  "I'm sorry if I've offended you."

             
"No, Father.  Just surprised me."

             
"You can rest assured.  My ways may seem strange, but my
devotion is just as strong as any others."  Liane thought she noted a
certain strength and sincerity in this man's voice. 

             
"You see, my parish was very close to the beach in California. 
In fact, as a youth, I spent much of my time there.  I'm a pretty good
surfer."

             
She could picture this young man with sun-streaked blond
curls, balancing perilously on a surfboard atop a white foaming wave.

             
"I knew there were many kids out there with problems, " he
continued.  "You aren't going to reach those kids with a prim stanched
attitude.  They want a friend, not a preacher."

             
"I can understand that," Liane replied with honestly,
remembering how difficult it had been to confide in the priest who
had paid frequent visits to their orphanage.

             
"To them, I'm not Father Barndt.  I'm Luke.  They seem to
relate to me better that way.  As long as I can be there to help them,
the name isn't important."

             
"The end justifies the means," she said with a smile, her green
eyes looking up at him with understanding.

             
"I see you
do understand."  He seemed relieved.

             
Liane was beginning to feel that her wish had been granted. 
Luke seemed just unorthodox enough to be the type of man who
would go along with her request to stay in Lima an extra day.

             
"Father . . .I was curious to know if we have an exact schedule
to meet.  Are we expected at the mission right away?"

             
His pleasant smile grew wider as he scratched his head,
releasing a curl that had been carefully combed into place.  "Ah, let
me see . . ." He pretended to be thinking.  "I suppose there would be
no problem."  Now he looked down at her with an impish grin.

             
"Actually, I had intended that we would stay over tonight, and
tomorrow too," he said.  And after that we'd get an early flight on the
Aeroperu to Pucallpa.  I've made many friends while living here in
Lima.  Whenever I get the chance to return to the city I try to visit
with them. 

             
"There's one special couple, Paul and Carla Smith.  When they
heard I was going to be in the city, and the reason, they invited us to
stay with them."

             
"Smith?" Liane repeated.  "That doesn't sound very Peruvian."

             
"Paul is a geologist with a mining company down here.  He
came to Peru three years ago and met Carla.  She's a Creole, from an
old Spanish family who's more than likely been in Peru since the
conquest.  They married and have lived in Lima every since."

             
"How have you found the time to meet so many people if
you're supposed to be at the mission for your penance?"

             
"Everyone gets a reprieve every now and then."  Luke laughed. 
"Besides, I already knew Paul.  We were classmates.  It was purely
coincidence that we met again here.  We ran into each other at the
church of San Francisco.  I supposed being native Californians, we
were drawn there for the obvious reason.  But we returned there for
very different ones."

             
"And those are?"

             
"Come," he guided her toward the long corridor. "People will
begin wondering why we're standing here talking in the middle of this
busy airport.  It'll be far more beneficial for me to show you the
Cathedral, rather than tell you about it.  I don't know if I could find
enough adjectives to adequately describe it.  Nor any of the other sites
I'd hoped to show you while you're here."

             
"It sounds like you already have everything planned," she said,
feeling a twinge of guilt that she may not be able to fall into this kind
man's agenda.

             
"Yes, or at least I had hoped you might like to join me. It's
something no one should miss while in Lima.  And they aren't
expecting us at the mission immediately.  They knew you'd need time
to get acclimatized." He gently put his hand on her back and guided
her out of the terminal.  "I was also due to come to Lima for my
annual visit to the children's home.  It works out that we can stay here
for an extra day."

             
"I think I'd enjoy seeing the sights," she said truthfully. "But I
must be honest with you about my reason for wanting to say over in
Lima.  You see, I'm trying to locate my brother.  I believe he may be
somewhere in the city." 

             
She felt safe confiding in this man.  She had the feeling he had
just enough of the rebel in him, as well as the Priest.  She was nearly
certain he'd understand.

             
"You see, Jack, my brother, has a nightclub act down here.  He
travels quite a lot and, oddly enough, Lima, Peru has been one of his
frequent stops."

             
Luke looked down at her, acutely examining her face, his vivid
blue eyes taking on a more serious look.  "Judging by your expression,
I'd say there's a special reason why you're looking him up just now."

             
"There is," she met his gaze.  "He's missing.  At least I think
he is.  It's a terribly long story and I'd rather not go into it just now, if
you don't mind."

             
"Of course." Sensing her distress he walked a few steps further
in silence before continuing.  "Though my manners, until now, may
have seemed a bit unusual, I am still a priest. If you should feel the
need to confide in someone, I'll be happy to oblige."

             
"Thank you," she nearly whispered, almost wishing she could,
but knowing better.  There would be no one down here in which she
could confide.  That was, unless she found Jack.  And if she did that,
the biggest part of her problem would be solved.  Or so she hoped.

             
"Now let's go get you settled in at Paul and Carla's.  You'll
want to get some sleep since it is rather late, or should I say early? 
Tomorrow we'll see some of the famed churches and museums I
mentioned."

             
"Like the one named San Francisco, that reminds you of
home," she replied, happy he had left the other subject drop.  "I'll bet
it's the first on the list."

             
"Of course.  You'll have to see it to believe the library they
have there."

             
"I'm anxious to see as much as I can," she replied honestly,
knowing it couldn't hurt to visit some sites while she was here.

             
"Then, in the evening, I'll escort you to this nightclub where
you hope to find your brother."

             
"Thank you again.  I can see why you were looked upon as a
friend by those kids on that beach back in California."  She waited
while he collected her suitcase and continued out of the airport.

I

             
Paul and Carla Smith were the perfect hosts. Within moments
of entering their home, Liane felt at ease. She found that Carla was
close to her age and they shared many of the same interests.

             
Carla told her that at one time she had thought of going into
show business.  She'd spent a short time modeling for some popular
boutiques in Lima.  A producer had seen her there, and offered her a
chance to try for a part in a motion picture he was taping right there in
the city.  But at the same time, Paul had made her another offer.